Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Pack Rat

I must admit I have the worst habit of being a pack rat. When I graduated High School, my dad made fun of the fact that I had saved every Valentine I'd gotten since 2nd grade. I just figured if it was organized it was fair game. So now that you know part of my history, I married Jake. He keeps nothing. I have to ask if I want something saved. SO... to lighten our load for our upcoming move we cleaned out our clothes yesterday. Jake was throwing out EVERYTHING! Pants he had barely worn, shirts and ties I had given him, not even a year old! He's not planning on wearing a shirt and tie to his next job (scrubs instead) so to make me happy he said he'd keep 10 shirts. So in the middle of all this to keep me from crying (because my feeling were already hurt) I decided to call my mom and tell her Jake had the gall to throw out a polo shirt my dad gave him 6 years ago that said Coastal Bend College, (my hygiene school 10 years ago!). I knew it was pathetic but I needed something.

Well, the funniest moment happened when Reesa said to me, "Do you want to keep that because your mom gave that to you?" I must have used that reasoning in most of my desperate pleas. I realized my daughter was starting to emulate me and my own bad habits when close to tears she started yelling at Jake holding some random tie, "can't we just keep this one? I don't want to donate it!"

Jake asked Reesa if she wanted to give away some of her own clothes to other people who needed them, and would wear them. So off she dashed and later I found her 2 boxes packed (clothes folded) and in the hall next to ours. She told me, "someone better take these boxes too!" Don't worry I went in her room and checked, she did leave a few clothes for herself!Yes I did give away my 3 remaining hygiene school shirts, and my t-shirt from the only marathon I think I'll ever run (can't you see my dilemma!!!).

I LOVE your new header photo!! Your little family is so beautiful! Okay, I can't believe you gave away your marathon t-shirt! I am NOT a pack rat, throw away EVERYTHING, but I'm holding on to my marathon t-shirt for dear life! Running a marathon was almost as hard as labour, only you don't get a sweet baby at the end...just a t-shirt! I think I'll be keeping mine forever! :)

awww I'm sorry. you could have saved some shirts and make them into a tshirt quilt or something :) i love throwing things out, i think it feels so good (even though somtimes it's hard to convince yourself you don't need it). that made me laugh that reese gave away all her clothes!! so funny.

Yes it was hurtful to throw out that T-shirt, but I have zillions of things with reasons JUST like that!!! I had to tell myself over and over the memory wasn't in the T-shirt. (AND it's a good thing we went to Good Will yesterday, or I think I would pull back out that shirt!)

What a funny post, Kellie! Reesa is hilarious. Good for you for getting rid of stuff, even though it is seriously hard! Eric has helped me in my ongoing process of learning to get rid of stuff, but I did take a giant leap when I read Peter Walsh's book. Now I am more inclined to get rid of stuff of my own will! I LOVE your new family pic--just beautiful!

Alright Jake! You win for now, but you will lose later! Mark my words........Nor, the packrat wins in our house, ay yiy yiy!Kelly, this explains part of the reason why Jake is the way he is.......his mother!

I totally understand -- my problem is that I married someone equally sentimental so we both save it all! I have a hard time getting rid of things other people have given me. They may not be my style and I may never use them, but I feel too guilty -- what if they ask about them?!

Ok. I LOVE your picture!!! You all look so good! Especially you! This cracks me up. I am the same way. If is organized, then I think it's fine. (Don't tell Jake). Spencer would not get rid of all of his shirts. So, for Valentine's day I made him a quilt out of all of them. An idea?

Jake and Kellie, your picture is SO cute!! Well worth the struggle of having to get everybody together, right!! So cute! Kellie, your shirt is perfect, good choice! So...how many boxes have you packed?! Hopefully you guys are not stressing to much! Ah, I am totally with Jake, sorry Kellie! Aaron thinks it's terrible that I am willing to throw anything thing away! Good luck, love you guys!! I want to see more pics!!

Cute post! I have a really hard time getting rid of stuff too! I read a book about organizing that said you should think, "does this item bless my home?" and if it doesn't, it should go in the trash! If we did this, we would be able to get rid of all of our junk. I am not even close! I love your family picture at the top of your blog. You guys look great!